Lacrosse pocket string lock

ABSTRACT

A string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket comprising a single unitary rectangular and pre-formed with a shallow end-to-end arc as well as an optional shallow side-to-side arc. A series of thong hole pairs are formed in the string lock, and a plurality of open notches extend in a radial array from one side of the plate member, each notch creating a channel running from the side of the plate member into one of the corresponding lower thong holes. The particular dimensions and material of the string lock combine with its arched configuration and elasticity to securely lock each thong in place when threaded through a pair of upper and lower thong holes. However, each thong can be readily adjusted simply by disengaging it from the lower thong hole, removing it therefrom via the radial notch, re-tensioning, and reinserting it back into the lower thong hole via radial notch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application derives priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/093,740 filed 18 Dec. 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to lacrosse sticks and, more particularly, to a string lock for lacrosse stick pockets.

B. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a traditional lacrosse stick pocket is strung with a plurality of (typically four) longitudinal thong elements 12 formed of leather, woven cord or other suitable material, which thongs 12 extend between respective apertures 22 in the scoop 16 of the lacrosse head 10 to a base 23. An open weave cross lacing 14 extends transversely from the sides of the head 10 and interconnect the thong elements 12 to maintain them at a predetermined spatial relation. Open weave cross lacing 14 wraps around each leather thong element 12 (or may pass through slits provided in thong element 12). The illustrated assembly is a traditionally-strung pocket suited for catching, carrying and throwing a lacrosse ball. It is also compliant with women's lacrosse equipment rules promulgated by US Lacrosse™, the pertinent sections of which provide as follows:

The Pockets (Field Crosses)

-   -   SECTION 20. The pockets of all field crosses shall be strung         with four or five longitudinal leather and/or synthetic thongs.         Mesh pockets are not allowed. Longitudinal leather or synthetic         thongs shall be 0.3 cm to 1.0 cm wide. Each thong must be made         of one material (leather, synthetic leather or nylon cord) and         run the full length of the head. Thongs must nominally be the         same width along their full length. A second material may be         used in close proximity to the scoop and the ball stop to allow         attachment of each thong to the head. Thongs must be attached to         the head through holes in the scoop and at the ball stop. The         thongs at the ball stop must extend 5.1 cm beyond the ball stop.         Thongs must be evenly spaced (not bunched) along the length and         across the width of the head. The loose ends of the thongs may         not be woven back up through the pocket of the crosse.     -   SECTION 21. The pockets of all field crosses shall be strung         with eight to 12 stitches of cross lacing. Cross-lacing in a         traditionally strung pocket is defined as eight to 12         knots/stitches, where two pocket nylon laces intertwine at a         common place on a thong.     -   SECTION 22. Cross-lacing in a pre-manufactured detachable pocket         is defined as 8 to 12 evenly spaced pocket nylon laces that are         sewn or traditionally woven between evenly spaced longitudinal         thongs.     -   SECTION 23. The nominal diameter of the shooting/throw string         nylon cord and sidewall nylon cord shall be 0.3 cm maximum. The         nominal diameter of pocket nylon must be less than 0.3 cm.     -   SECTION 24. Field crosses shall have no more than two separate         shooting/throw strings. Shooting/throw strings shall not be         rolled or coiled or twisted more than twice between each thong.         Flat laces may not be used as shooting/throw strings.     -   SECTION 25. Both shooting/throw strings must be attached in the         upper third of the head, or, the top shooting/throw string must         be attached in the upper third in the head and the bottom         shooting/throw string may be an inverted “U” in shape and must         be attached in the upper two-thirds of the head, as measured         from the top outside edge of the scoop (Diagram 15).     -   SECTION 26. All components of the pocket shall be integral,         either by tying or by stitching. In no case shall components be         slid over the shooting strings, cross lacings, or thongs. This         rule strictly prohibits the use of beads, tubing, or similar         items on any part of the pocket.     -   SECTION 27. The combined height of the sidewall and the depth of         the pocket containing the ball shall not exceed 6.4 cm, the         diameter of the ball. The top of a ball, when placed into the         pocket of a horizontally held crosse, must be visible/seen above         the top of the entire wooden or plastic sidewall after         reasonable force with one hand has been applied to and released         from the ball.

The four longitudinal thong elements 12 must be securely fastened to both the head 10 and base 23, and are typically wrapped around the head 10 and knotted through holes in the base 23 as shown. This is extremely inconvenient, since frequently throughout the course of a typical lacrosse game both women and men will experience a need to tighten their pockets to pass, shoot and catch effectively, as well as to avoid being penalized for an overly deep pocket (Section 27). Pocket checks occur routinely in women's lacrosse and the penalty is harsh for an illegal pocket. Indeed, winning goals in high school and college games have been reversed after the scorer's pocket is checked. Given four permanent knots in the base 23, undoing and redoing all four knots to re-tighten becomes exceedingly difficult, frustrating, time consuming and inconvenient in the middle of the game.

It is known to use a string (or lace) lock attached to the base 23 for adjustably anchoring the thong elements 12. U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,492 filed by STX shows a lacrosse stick lace system with a lace lock 200 (see also FIG. 2) that is removably attached to the base. The lace lock 200 has channeling holes 202 that receives the thongs. The thongs are inserted through thong holes in the base and then they enter the lace lock 200 through incoming channeling holes 202, along ridges 206, and exit channeling holes 208. The thongs are secured in the lace lock 200 by a compression strap that wraps over the area of the ridges 206 and locks the thongs in place. The compression strap is preferably a hook and loop strap. Lace lock 200 enables quicker tension adjustment of the thongs, which can avoid the removal of a lacrosse stick having an illegal pocket by allowing a player to quickly shorten and tighten her pocket during a break in play if the player suspects that the pocket may have become illegal. To do this, however, the player must first release the compression strap, pull the thongs to the desired tension to create a legal pocket, and then tighten the compression strap to keep the thongs securely locked against the ridges of the lace lock to hold the desired tension.

Unfortunately, even the '492 patent's lace lock requires substantial time and dexterity to undo the compression strap, tighten the thongs, and reattach the compression strap without losing the desired tension. Moreover, the '492 patent lace lock is custom-fitted and fixedly (albeit removably) attached to an existing lacrosse stick handle just below the base, and requires special holes through the base. As the '492 patent notes, “a player may not be able to retrofit an existing lacrosse stick with the stop member thong holes of the present invention.” The '492 patent lace lock also adds bulk and weight, is not aesthetically pleasing and is not consistent with more streamlined head designs desired by the modern player. What is needed is an effective and more streamlined string lock that can be retrofit to any existing lacrosse stick. Of course, any such string lock must also retain the basic characteristics and feel of a traditionally strung head while meeting the most commonly followed game rules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a string lock for a lacrosse pocket that can be retrofit to any existing lacrosse stick and still meets men's and women's lacrosse equipment rules.

It is another object of the invention to provide a string lock as described above that is not fixedly attached to the lacrosse head and handle or reliant on a strap for tightening.

It is still another object to provide a more usable string lock that allows an easy single-motion pull-adjustment of each of the pocket thongs.

It is yet another object to provide a string lock that can be inexpensively manufactured from a single one-shot mold.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a string lock that enables a tightening or adjustment of the pocket depth by the player in real time during play.

To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket comprising a single unitary plate member having a relatively high modulus of elasticity necessary to avoid excessive bending and distortion or material failure from the stresses of repeatedly pulling pocket thongs through the string lock holes and notches. The plate member may be formed of hard rubber, elastomer, plastic or foam. The plate member may be substantially rectangular and pre-formed with a shallow end-to-end arc. A series of thong holes are formed in the plate member, including an upper plurality (e.g., four) of thong holes and a corresponding lower plurality of thong holes. All pairs of upper/lower thong holes are parallel-spaced and vertically aligned across the midsection of the plate member. A plurality of open notches extend in a radial array from one side of the plate member, each notch creating a channel running from the side of the plate member into one of the corresponding lower thong holes.

In one embodiment, the string lock is strung with pocket thongs and positioned adjacent the throat of the lacrosse head below the thong holes, but is not otherwise attached. The thongs extend down through the thong holes in the base of the lacrosse head, angle outward into corresponding upper thong holes in the string lock, wrap over the elastomeric face of string lock, and down through the corresponding lower thong holes. The particular dimensions of the string lock (to be described) combine with the particular arched configuration and elasticity to securely lock each thong in place when threaded through both an upper and lower thong holes. However, each thong can be readily adjusted simply by disengaging it from the lower thong hole, removing it therefrom via the radial notch, re-tensioning, and reinserting it back into the lower thong hole via radial notch.

In another embodiment, the string lock is attached to the throat of the lacrosse head via a screw, preferably using the same screw hole as is conventionally used to attach the lacrosse head to a handle.

In another embodiment, the string lock is molded as part of the lacrosse head and cannot be removed for use on another head.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a back view of a prior art lacrosse stick head and pocket.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art STX lace lock 200 from U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,492.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a string lock 20 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the string lock of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top dimensional view of the string lock of FIGS. 3-4.

FIG. 6 is a back view of a lacrosse head with string lock 20 accommodating different size and material thongs according of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a back view of a lacrosse head with a string lock molded as part of the lacrosse head according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 3, a lacrosse stick head 80 is provided in which is situated a pocket assembly 82 having four thongs 83 which may be inserted through thong holes in the base 23 of head 80, and then anchored to the base 23 by a string lock 20 according to the present invention.

The string lock 20 comprises a unitary plate member configured to produce a relatively high bending stiffness along its length, or “flexural rigidity” (herein defined as the force couple required to bend a non-rigid structure to a unit curvature). The flexural rigidity of the string lock 20 is a function of both dimensions (described below) and material composition. The material composition should be chosen to provide a relatively high modulus of elasticity E (e.g., Young's modulus), and hard rubber having a Young's modulus within a range of from 1 GPa to 15 GPa is preferred.

In an embodiment the string lock 20 is substantially rectangular and may have rounded edges. As best seen in FIG. 4, the string lock 20 is preferably pre-formed with a shallow end-to-end arc to conform to the throat of the lacrosse stick. For example, string lock 20 may be pre-formed with a degree of curvature at base 23 ranging between 20 degrees and 40 degrees, and preferably about 30 degrees.

As seen in FIG. 5 a series of thong holes 22A-H are formed in the string lock 20, including an upper plurality (e.g., four) of thong holes 22A-D and a corresponding lower plurality of thong holes 22E-H. Both the upper plurality of thong holes 22A-D and lower plurality of thong holes 22E-H are parallel-spaced in two rows and vertically aligned in four columns across the midsection of the string lock 20, thereby providing opposing pairs of thong holes 22A/E, 22B/F, 22C/G, and 22D/H. A plurality of open notches 24 extend downward and outward from the lower thong holes 22E-H in a radial pattern, each notch 24 providing a rather narrow and constricted opening into its corresponding thong hole 22 and gradually widening outward toward an opposing edge opening. Each pair of thong holes 22A/E, 22B/F, 22C/G, and 22D/H is separated by a thin shoulder 26 that may be hourglass-shaped.

In use, the string lock 20 becomes anchored against or adjacent the throat of the lacrosse head 80 (see FIG. 3) below the thong holes in the base 23, but in one preferred embodiment is not otherwise attached. The thongs extend down through the thong holes in the base 23 of the lacrosse head, angle outward into the corresponding upper thong holes 22A-D in the string lock 20, wrap over the elastomeric shoulders 26 of string lock 20, and down through the corresponding lower thong holes 22E-H. The particular dimensions of the string lock 20 (to be described) are important inasmuch as they combine with the particular arched configuration and material elasticity to securely lock each thong in place when threaded through both an upper and lower thong holes 22. Thus, the total end-end length of the string lock 20 can be between 20 mm and 50 mm and preferably approximately 45 mm, width can be between 18 mm and 22 mm and preferably about 19.45 mm, thickness may be between 3 mm and 5 mm and preferably about 4 mm, and preformed with a shallow degree of curvature of between 20 degrees and 40 degrees and preferably about 30 degrees as stated above. As seen in FIG. 5, each thong hole 22 can be about 4 mm diameter (calculated to be slightly smaller than the size of a cross-section of a thong 83 so that the thong 83 must be compressed to pass through a thong hole 22). Each outermost pair of thong holes 22A/E and 22D/H can be spaced between 8 mm and 10 mm and preferably about 9.2 mm from its neighboring pair 22B/F, 22C/G. Those inner pairs 22B/F and 22C/G can be between 11 mm and 13 mm from each other. The upper thong holes 22A-D can be centered between 5 mm and 7 mm from the lower thong holes 22E-E on opposing sides of a midline. In a preferred embodiment, notches 24 are adapted to control the orientation of the thongs as they pass into thong holes 22. Preferably, notches 24 can be wedge-shaped, to compel the orientation of the thongs as the thongs pass through notches 22. By changing the orientation of the thongs, notches 22 secure the thongs and prevent sliding. Once the thongs exit notches 24 into thong holes 22 the thongs rotate back to horizontal preventing inadvertent loosening of thongs. To achieve the wedge-shape notches 24 can open into thong holes 22 at inner mouths spanning 0.50 mm to 0.54 mm, and taper open outward to about 1 mm outer mouths.

In use, each thong 83 can be readily adjusted simply by disengaging it from the lower thong hole 22E-H, removing it therefrom via the radial notch 24, re-tensioning, and reinserting it back into the lower thong hole 22E-H via radial notch 24. The string lock 20 may have an inherently high coefficient of friction relative to each thong 83 that combines with the dimensions described above to securely lock the thongs into string lock 20. This allows quick adjustability to achieve a desired pocket tension. The radial pattern of notches 24 help to keep the thongs 83 spaced apart from each other, enabling the string lock material to better grip the thongs 23, reduce sliding of the thongs 83, and better maintain the desired tension of the pocket. Alternatively, the string lock 20 may rely on added texture on the inside surfaces of radial notch 24 to hold thongs 83 in place rather than rely on differing coefficients of friction between thongs and the string lock material.

The foregoing string lock 20 eliminates the need for a compression strap as per the prior art, and hence the time and effort needed to undo/redo the compression strap to adjust thongs. The above-described string lock 20 also eliminates the need for fixed attachment to the lacrosse head 80, and hence a preferred embodiment of the string lock 20 can be retrofit to any existing lacrosse head.

FIG. 6 is a back view of a lacrosse head with string lock 20 according of the present invention, in which the two central thongs 83 are wider and flatter than the outside thongs. The long and tapered notches 24 are equally adept at channeling these thongs 83 into thong holes 22.

In all the foregoing embodiments, the string lock 20 may be one-shot injection molded from a natural or synthetic rubber, plastic or compression molded foam having a durometer type A within a range of from 55-100 as measured under the ASTM D2240 standard. String locks within this hardness range have a combination of appropriate toughness, impact resistance, friction coefficient, and flexibility that is suitable to task.

FIG. 7 is a back view of a lacrosse head with a string lock 29 integrally-formed as part of a lacrosse head 89 according to another embodiment of the present invention. String lock 29 may be structurally similar to the above-described embodiment 20 except that string lock 20 is attached directly to lacrosse head 89. The point of attachment may be along the unbroken rectangular edge of string lock 29, or alternatively, provided that the head 89 is defined by an aperture as shown, string lock 29 may be attached endwise or edgewise spanning the aperture as shown. The string lock 29 may be integrally-molded in a one-shot mold and formed from the same material as head 89. However, where it is desirable for the string lock 29 to have different material properties than head 89, string lock 29 may be formed of any of the above-described materials and co-molded, welded or otherwise adhered to head 89. In any such case the use and operation of the string lock 29 is the same as 20.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket having a plurality of thongs, said string lock being formed as a quadrilateral plate member having an upper plurality of thong holes and a corresponding lower plurality of thong holes, and a plurality of notches each extending from one side of said string lock into a corresponding lower thong hole, whereby each said thong can be readily adjusted within said lacrosse stick pocket by removal from its said lower thong hole through said notch, tightening or loosening in said upper thong hole, and reinsertion in said lower thong hole through said notch.
 2. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein said string lock is formed of a material having a Young's modulus within a range of from 1 GPa to 15 GPa.
 3. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 2, wherein said string lock is formed of rubber.
 4. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein said string lock is substantially rectangular.
 5. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 4, wherein said string lock has rounded edges.
 6. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein said string lock is pre-formed with a curvature to conform to a throat of a lacrosse stick head.
 7. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 6, wherein said curvature is within a range of 20 degrees and 40 degrees.
 8. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 7, wherein said curvature is approximately 30 degrees.
 9. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein said upper plurality of thong holes and said corresponding lower plurality of thong holes both comprise four thong holes.
 10. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein said upper plurality of thong holes are linearly aligned and said corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are linearly aligned.
 11. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 10, wherein said upper plurality of thong holes and said corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are arranged in columns.
 12. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 11, wherein each column comprises one of said upper plurality of thong holes and one of said lower plurality of thong holes.
 13. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 12, wherein said one upper thong hole and said one lower thong hole are separated by an hourglass-shaped shoulder.
 14. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein each of said upper plurality of thong holes and corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are approximately 4 mm in diameter.
 15. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 10, wherein said upper plurality of thong holes and said corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are spaced-apart within a range of from 8 mm to 10 mm.
 16. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 15, wherein said upper plurality of thong holes and said corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are spaced-apart by approximately 9 mm.
 17. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 1, wherein said notches are wedge-shaped to facilitate a thong insertion through the notch.
 18. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 17, wherein said notches extend radially from said lower plurality of thong holes.
 19. In combination with a lacrosse stick head having a scoop, opposing sidewalls, a base defined by a plurality of holes, and a pocket assembly secured between the scoop, opposing sidewalls and base, said pocket assembly including a plurality of thongs extending through said holes in said base, a string lock for anchoring each of said plurality of thongs the string lock further comprising a unitary non-rigid plate defined by a first series of thong holes and a second series of thong holes spaced from said first series.
 20. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 19, wherein said string lock is formed with a plurality of notches each extending from one side of said string lock into a corresponding lower thong hole.
 21. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 19, wherein said string lock is formed of a material having a Young's modulus within a range of from 1 GPa to 15 GPa.
 22. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 21, wherein said string lock is formed of rubber.
 23. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 19, wherein said string lock is substantially rectangular with rounded edges.
 24. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 19, wherein said string lock is pre-formed with a degree curvature to conform to a throat of said lacrosse stick head.
 25. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 19, wherein said upper plurality of thong holes are linearly aligned and said corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are linearly aligned and arranged in columns, each column comprising one of said upper plurality of thong holes and one of said lower plurality of thong holes.
 26. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 25, wherein said one upper thong hole and said one lower thong hole are separated by an hourglass-shaped shoulder.
 27. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 19, wherein each of said upper plurality of thing holes and corresponding lower plurality of thong holes are approximately 4 mm in diameter.
 28. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 20, wherein said notches are wedge-shaped to facilitate a thong insertion through the notch.
 29. The string lock for a lacrosse stick pocket according to claim 20, wherein said notches extend radially from said lower plurality of thong holes.
 30. A lacrosse stick head, comprising: a scoop; a pair of opposing sidewalls; a pocket assembly secured between said scoop and said opposing sidewalls, said pocket assembly including a plurality of thongs; a base defining a throat, said base having a plurality of holes for insertion of said plurality of thongs, said base further comprising an integral string lock for anchoring each of said plurality of thongs through a corresponding hole in said base, said string lock further comprising a first series of thong holes and a second series of thong holes spaced from said first series, and a plurality of notches each extending from one side of said string lock into a corresponding second series of thong holes, whereby each thong can be readily adjusted by removal from said first-series thong hole through said notch, tightening or loosening in said second-series thong hole, and reinsertion in said first-series thong hole through said notch. 